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Hypericum, more commonly
known as St. Johns Wort, is
part of a genus containing
some 400 species of
flowering plant. A member of
the Hypericaceae family,
hypericum can be found
growing the world over.
Known also as "goat weed"
and "tipton weed" it has
oval shaped leaves and a
distinctive yellow flower,
with black coloured pin
spots. It is a self seeding
shrub which can grow as tall
as 3 feet in height. It is a
perennial herbaceous plant,
flowering from early spring.
The berries, the part most
commonly used in floristry,
can be yellow, orange or
pink. The colours most
commonly seen in floristry
however are peach, red and
green. The green variety is
much less common than its
red and peach sisters; hence
it commands a slightly
higher price. The green
hypericum berry is also more
suited to contemporary-style
bouquets and arrangements,
while the red lends itself
perfectly to traditional
bouquets and seasonal
arrangements - most popular
perhaps at Christmas.
An added bonus of working
with hypericum berries is
that they don’t stain as
other berries would. For a
romantic and truly effective
bouquet, Grand Prix roses,
ranunculus and hypericum
look opulent, rich and
fabulous when combined -
perfect for that special
occasion.
Hypericum - or St. Johns
Wort - is known for its wide
and varied history, from the
treatment of everything from
depression and wounds, to
the warding off of evil
spirits.
In 1994, 66 million daily
doses of St. Johns Wort were
prescribed for the treatment
of depression. It is now one
of the most relied upon
medicinal herbs in the
world, also said to help
with sleep, stomach pain,
and headaches.
Did you know?
Hippocrates wrote about the
medicinal qualities of St.
Johns Wort, noting it in his
writings as beneficial in
the treatment of sciatica
and hip pain.
Hypericum was used
throughout the Middle Ages
for the protection of humans
and animals against witches,
in the form of a supposed
"magic" potion.
In Roman times, sprigs of
St. Johns Wort were placed
upon the statues of the
Gods. Later, during the
Civil war, hypericum would
be collected and placed upon
the wounds of soldiers; it
was even made in to a wine
to steady their nerves
before battle.
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